Electric switch



March 30, 1943. E. LEFEBRE 2,315,262

' ELECTRIC swiwcn Filed April 22, 1942 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 24 25 if ZZ zfl INVENTOR EDWARD .LEFEBRE I ATT R liiY Mafch 1943- E. A. LEFEBRE 5,2

' ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aprilj22, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'FOR EDWA ED .LEFEBRE A l EWN- be similarly lined as at l5.

Patented Mar. 3Q, 1943 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Edward A. Lefebre, Jamaica, N. Y. Application April 22, 1942, Serial No. 440,014 2 16 Claims. (Cl. 200-65) .The invention here disclosed relates to rotary switches and particularly to those of the enclosed, heavy duty Navy type.

Special objects of the invention are to provide a quick-acting, rugged form of switch of small dimensions and requiring less metal and other materials than heretofore, without sacrifice of any current carrying, insulating and other necessary attributes, which will have all active parts fully protected against moisture and corrosion, which will be easy to wire, consist of but few and relatively inexpensive parts and which can b built for either single or multiple circuit control.

Other objects of the invention and the novel features of construction, combination and relation of parts by which the objects of the invention are attained are hereinafter set forth, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and broadly covered in the claims.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate certain present commercial embodiments of the invention. The actual structure however, may be modified and changed as regards the present illustrations, all within the true intent and broad scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

substantially the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the contact ratchet.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the ratchet driving member, the spindle carrying the same broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a multiple circuit form of the switch, taken as on the line 5--5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a broken side elevation of the multiple circuit switch.

Fig. 7 is a broken longitudinal sectional view as on line l-'! of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a part sectional detail of the double pawl form of driver for the multiple switch contact ratchets.

The base of the switch is shown at l iLas-a flat piece of insulation shaped to closely fit in the enclosure l l, and secured to the bottom of the latter asby screws I2.

If. the switch box H, is made of metal, it may have-an insulating lining I 3, and the cover M,may l The cover may be securedas by screws It, a suitable gasket I 'L-beins-interposed to make the cover fully water-tight. Y

The switch spindle I8, is shown in one continuous piece rotatably mounted in the base at 1 9, and having a water-tight bearing in the cover, in the gland nut 20, of the stufiing box 2 I.

'Rotatably'mounted on the spindle immediately above thebase or, if desired, slightly countersunk in the face .ofithe base, is the rotary element of the switch, taking the form, in the illustration, of an eight-faced ratchet 22, having pairs of metal contact segments 23,13, and 24,.2 i, on :four of the faces of the same,pthe contacts of each pair being directly opposite and substantially parallel and the contactsof lone pair being separated from the contacts of the other pair by insulating faces 25, 25, at the opposite ends of the same.

The rotor contacts23, .23, and 2 3, 24,;as shown particularly in Fig. .5 are connected by branches 26, with .a common conductor ring 21, set in the underface of the insulating body of the ratchet, such a construction keying and securing the connected contact elements in the body of insulation.

Cooperating with the rotary contactor are the opposed stationary contacts 28, 29, these being shown as fiat spring brushes connected by U-bent portions '30, with the fiat terminal portions 3|,

substantially at right angles thereto and secured by clamp plates 32, and screws 33.

These terminal posts are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as upright brackets secured by screws 35, over opposite edge portions, of the base and havingjflat upper end portions 3'1, receiving the binding screws 38.

Step-by-step rotation is imparted to the con- .tactorby spring pawls 39, 39, fixed on the spindle above the contactor and inclined downwardly to engage the ratchet shoulders 6%, provided at the base of the circular cavity 41, in the top of the rotor. Asshown particularly in Fig. 3, the driving ratchet teeth 4!), in the upper face of the rotor are inclined in the same direction as the alternate conducting. and insulating ratchet faces onthe edge of the rotor, thus to enable the pawls to drive the rotor forwardlyor clockwise in Fig. 1 and .to retreat for fresh hold on the ratchet in counterclockwisedirection.'

The spring drivingpawls 39, are shown in Fig. 4,

as cut and bent downwardly from a disc 42, of

spring material clamped by rivets 01 other suitable fastenings 3, between-segmental plates 44,.

44, which are cut out at theopopsite edges at 45, 45, for .free passage of the spring pawls. The completepawl assembly is indicated as held nonrotatably on thespindle by a small key 4&5.

,As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the circular cavity 4!, in the top of the rotor may be deep enough to wholly receive the pawl assembly and if desired, this cavity may be closed over to cover the pawls, by a plate secured over the top of the rotor.

While the switch box may be made to take the usual conduit fittings if the wires are to be enclosed in conduit, a special fitting is shown in Fig. 1 in the form of a plate 41, secured in watertight relation to the side of the box and carrying stuffing boxes 48, 49, in which the wires are gripped in water and gas tight relation. This form of water-tight connections for the wires is particularly useful for boxes made of plastic material.

The multiple circuit form of the switch shown in Figs. 5 to 8, differs from that described, mainly in that two of the contact ratchets are mounted on the spindle, one in reversed relation over the other and a double-duty driver is fixed on the spindle between them, having oppositely acting pawls for cooperation with the annular sets of ratchet teeth in the opposing faces of the two contactors.

Fig. '7 shows how the two contactors are rotatably engaged on the switch spindle in reversely faced relation, one above and the other below the driver. The latter, in this instance, is shown as made up of two spring discs 42 and 42a, Fig. 8, clamped between plates 44, 44, and the upper disc as having pawl elements 39a, 39a, struck upwardly and extending in the opposite direction from the lower spring pawls 39, 39, thus to engage the annular set of driving teeth in the underface of the upper ratchet. brushes 28a, 2a, are provided for the upper contact ratchet and these are supported at the proper level to cooperate with the upper contactor by a pair of higher terminal posts 34a, mounted at the other diagonally opposite corners of the base.

All four terminal posts are shown constructed as first described, with fiat inturned binding screw pads 31, in elevated relation within the box facilitating easy wiring.

Many of the parts, such as ratchets, contact springs, binding posts, switch spindles and individual portions of the driver units are interchangeable for both single and multiple circuit switches. High current carrying ability is accomplished with the use of a relatively small amount of metal. The switch as a whole is small and light in weight. The action is positive and direct and all active portions of the switch are enclosed and fully protected. Any form of operating handle may be used such as the one indicated at 50, in Fig. 2, since this can be simply rigidly fastened on the switch spindle as indicated at 5 I.

In the multiple circuit form of switch illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, '7, four binding posts are shown providing completely separate wiring for the two circuits controlled by the switch. If desired however, two of the binding posts of the separate circuits, such as those for the lower and upper switch contacts 34, 34a, shown at the right in Fig. 5, may be connected by a jumper indicated at 50, and a single Wire extended to either of said posts to provide a common return for the two circuits, then operating as a three-wire system.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of an insulating base, a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same Spring contact and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact on said insulating base yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth and means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl and including a spindle supporting said driving pawl and mounted on said insulating base.

2. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of an insulating base, a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a. circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact mounted on said insulating base and yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, including a rotary spindle mounted on said insulating base and having an operating handle, an enclosure for said switch elements and through which said spindle extends and packing for said spindle carried by said enclosure.

3. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, an insulating base on which said switch contact is mounted, said means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl including a spindle on which said driving pawl is fixedly mounted, said spindle being rotatably mounted on said insulating base and said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle.

4. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet .teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, an insulating base on which said switch contact is mounted, said means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl including a spindle on which said driving pawl is fixedly mounted, said spindle being rotatably mounted on said insulating base, said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle and an enclosure for said insulating base and related parts and a stuffing box bearing for said spindle carried by said enclosure.

5. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second rotor of similar construction in face-to-face relation to said first rotor, a switch contact yieldingly engaging the circumferential ratchet teeth of said second rotor and a reversely acting driving pawl engaging the circular set of ratchet teeth of said second rotor and operably connected with said rotary movement imparting means, a spindle supporting said rotors and driving pawls and supporting means for said spindle, including an insulating base, said switch contacts being mounted on said insulating base.

6. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth in one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second rotor of similar construction in face to-face relation to said first rotor, a switch contact yieldingly engaging the circumferential ratchet teeth of said second rotor and a reversely acting driving pawl engaging the circular set of ratchet teeth of said second rotor and operably connected with said rotary movement imparting means and said means including a rotary switch spindle and the reversely acting driving pawls being fixedly mounted on said spindle between said rotors, said rotors being rotatably mounted on said rotary switch spindle, said switch spindle being rotatable in opposite directions and means supporting said switch spindle rotatable in opposite directions and inciuding an insulating base, said switch contacts being mounted on said insulating base.

7. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth in one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular' gaging the circumferential ratchet teeth of said second rotor and a reversely acting driving pawl engaging the circular set of ratchetteeth of said second rotor and operably connected with said rotary movement imparting means, said means including a rotary switch spindle and the reversely acting driving pawls being fixedly mounted on said spindle between said rotors, an insulating base on which said spindle is rotatably mounted, a switch box enclosing said insulating base and switch parts, a stuffing box on said box and through which said spindle projects and an operating handle fixed on th projecting portion of said spindle, said rotors being rotatable in opposite directions on said spindle and said switch contacts being mounted on said insulating base.

8. In an electric switch of the characterdisclosed, the combinationof a rotor having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second switch contact engaging said circumferential ratchet teeth and means electrically connecting certain of said electrically conducting ratchet teeth and including a ring of conducting material connected with said electrically conducting ratchet teeth, said rotor having a body of insulating material in which said conducting ring and conducting teeth are embedded and said means for imparting rotary movements including a spindle supporting said rotor and driving pawl and an insulating base supporting said spindle and said switch contacts.

9. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, said rotor being a body of insulating material and said conducting teeth being provided by conducting segments on the faces of certain ratchet teeth and cross connections for the same disposed at the opposite face of the rotor from said circular set of ratchet teeth, an insulating base supporting said switch contact and said means for imparting rotary movements including a spindle mounted on said base and carrying said rotor and driving pawl.

10. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, including a rotary spindle, plates fixed on said spindle and said driving pawl being a spring pawl having a base portion clamped between said plates, said rotor comprising a body of insulating material rotatably mounted on said spindle and means rotatably supporting said spindle, including an insulating base and said switch contact being mounted on said insulating base.

11. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a drivin pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second rotor of similar construction in face-toface relation to said first rotor, a switch contact yieldingly engaging the circumferential ratchet teeth of said second rotor, a reversely acting driving pawl engaging the circular set of ratchet teeth of said second rotor and operably connected with said rotary movement imparting means and said means including a rotary switch spindle, plates fixed on said spindle, said driving pawls being spring pawls having base portions clamped between said plates, said rotors being rotatably mounted on said spindle and an insulating base forming a support for said spindle and for said switch contacts.

12. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second switch contact engaging said circumferential ratchet teeth, means electrically connecting certain of said electrically conducting ratchet teeth, an insulating base on which said switch contacts are mounted, said means including a spindle rotatably mounted on said base, said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle and said driving pawl being fixedly mounted on said spindle.

13. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second switch contact engaging said circumferential ratchet teeth, means electrically connecting certain of said electrically conducting ratchet teeth, an in sulating base on which said switch contacts are mounted, said means including a spindle rotatably mounted on said base, said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle. said driving pawl being fixedly mounted on said spindle and a switch box enclosing said base and other parts and provided with a stufiing box through which said spindle projects.

14. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising a body of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferen tial ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second switch contact engaging said circumferential ratchet; teeth, means electrically connecting certain of said electrically conducting ratchet teeth, an insulating base on which said switch contacts are mounted,

said means including a spindle rotatably mounted on said base, said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle, said driving pawl being fixedly mounted on said spindle, a switch box enclosing said base and other parts and provided with a stuffing box through which said spindle projects, a plate removably secured to said switch box and stuffing box means for electrical conductors mounted on said removably secured plate.

15. In an electric switch of the character disclosed, the combination of a rotor comprising abody of insulating material having circumferential conducting and non-conducting ratchet teeth in the edge of the same and a circular set of ratchet teeth on one face of the same, a switch contact yieldingly engaged with said circumferential ratchet teeth, a driving pawl rotatably mounted in concentric relation over said face of said rotor and yieldingly engaging said circular set of ratchet teeth, means for imparting rotary movements to said driving pawl, a second switch contact engaging said circumferential ratchet teeth, means electrically connecting certain of said electrically conducting ratchet teeth, an in sulating base on which said switch contacts are mounted, said means including a spindle rotatably mounted on said base, said rotor being rotatably mounted on said spindle, said driving pawl being fixedly mounted on said spindle, an enclosing switch box having a removable cover, upstanding terminal posts on said insulating base carrying said contacts and binding screw pads on the upper ends of said posts immediately below said removable cover.

16. An electric switch, comprising an insulating base, a spindle mounted in rever sely rotatable relation on said base, reversely faced driving pawls fixed on said spindle, rotors rotatably mounted on said spindle at opposite sides of said driving pawls, one rotor having a set of ratchet teeth opposed to and engaged by one driving pawl and the other rotor having a reversely arranged set of ratchet teeth opposed to and engaged by the other driving pawl, said rotors having circumferential ratchet teeth on the edges of the same, and the circumferential ratchet teeth of one rotor being faced opposite to those of the other rotor, certain of said circumferential ratchet teeth of each rotor being electrically conducting and others non-conducting and reversely extending switch contacts on said base positioned to engage the reversely faced circumferential ratchet teeth of said rotors.

EDYVARD A. LEFEBRE. 

